The invitation to the palace

– It is urgent! Tell all the servants of the White Lotus Pavilion. Princess Yang Yulan is due to be taken to the main palace today.  – the maid announced, running into the half-abandoned building.

It was a lazy rainy day. All the greenery in the area swayed in the wind and was filled with fresh salt water. A small lake in the middle of the garden was roaring in unison with the weather. Frogs croaked, dragonflies crackled and fish splashed all over the lake. Frequent raindrops beat mercilessly on windows and fragile roofs, and maids dresses rustled here and there in the corridors.

The morning sky remained dark and gray, which made all the people in the pavilion involuntarily catch themselves yawning sleepily from time to time. Yang Yulan slowly turned from side to side on her huge soft bed, wrapped warmly in a red satin blanket, rubbing her stomach rumbling with hunger. Breakfast was due to be delivered to her soon.

The door creaked. But to Yang Yulan's surprise, it wasn't Chu Qi or some other local maid who came into the bedroom. It was a woman she didn't know. After this stranger, other girls gathered in the chambers. Also not from the White Lotus Pavilion. They held various colored fabrics, jewelry, and outlandish headdresses in their hands.

Seeing this sight, Yang Yulan immediately wrapped herself more tightly in the blanket.

– We came here on the orders of Her Highness the Empress. We've been told to gather you for today's event.

– What event? I wasn't going anywhere.

Yang Yulan had absolutely no idea what was going on, but she clearly had no plans to get out of bed in the next few hours.

The maids ignored her silent protest and came closer to pull her out of bed. However, the girl only huddled further into the corner, looking at them from under her furrowed brows

– Wait!

Then Chu Qi finally ran into the room.

– Wait, I'll explain everything to her now. They haven't had time to warn her yet.

– It doesn't matter. If she was told to come to the palace, then she must unquestioningly obey the order – said the eldest among the unfamiliar girls.

These maids clearly knew about the princess's illness and were not going to stand on ceremony with her for a long time.

Chu Qi frowned in displeasure.

– Give me some time. I'll explain everything to her.

The head maid turned an indignant look at her.

– Otherwise, it may take all day – Chu Qi continued, drawing the maid's attention to the princess, who was frightened by their sudden appearance.

The woman clicked her tongue in displeasure.

– Five minutes – she announced, then pointedly turned around and left the room. The others immediately followed her.

– What do they want? – Yang Yulan immediately asked and moved closer to the place where Chu Qi was standing.

– They just came from the palace. You are invited to a dinner party in honor of the arrival of Princess Shin Tsuzhou and the envoys from the Northern Bay. This is a very important event because Shin Zuzhou is the official bride of the second prince. Their marriage should unite the two countries in order to gather forces and destroy the remnants of the demonic race. They say they are going to attack and are preparing terrible weapons for this.

By the time Chu Qi finished speaking, Yang Yulan had already realized what kind of event it was. In fact, this scene was the first meeting between the main character and the villainess of the novel. During dinner, the villain is so outraged by the fact that the prince has chosen another girl for himself that he will feel terrible hatred for the main character.

Yang Yulan also had a role in this brawl. During the evening, one of the envoys of the Northern Bay would set his eyes on her and immediately offered to marry him. Yang Yulan will certainly cause a scandal and attract a lot of attention to hеrself.

The main character will be the only one who decides to approach her. She will be able to calm this crazy woman down, thereby whitewashing herself in front of a large number of people, letting everyone know how good-natured and not biased she is. Plus, this situation will help to dispel the heated atmosphere in the hall.

– I understood Chu Qi. I will do it – Yang Yulan replied with a serious face, as if she was about to perform a heroic feat.

«What will you not do in the name of love»

– Really? – The maid couldn't believe her ears and was a little confused by the unexpected change of mood. However, she did not ask unnecessary questions.

«The main thing is that the princess agrees.»

– Well. Then I see no reason to keep the maids outside the door any longer. These girls will make up and dress you up. And I'll pour hot water for bathing right now. You just need to sit quietly and not get in the way.

Yang Yulan nodded in agreement. As soon as Chu Qi left the room, a crowd of strangers rushed in again.

After thoroughly bathing in hot water full of various delicious-smelling herbs, Yang Yulan was seated in front of a large mirror.

First of all, the girls took out a porcelain jar with snow-white powder. A lot of powder. It was applied to the entire face, not excluding eyelids, lips, neck and even collarbones. Then the whitewash was used. After these machinations, Yang Yulan began to feel like the living dead. Even more than usual.

After the whitewashing process, one of the maids took out bright blush and began to apply it to her cheeks with sweeping movements, which made them so red that Yang Yulan seemed to have recently eaten too much raw meat and lemons.

The lips were also painted with bright red lipstick, trying to visually make them smaller and narrower.

Thin arched eyebrows were drawn over the eyes with black paint. And a neat little pattern in the form of a blue huadian flower was painted on his forehead.

Then the changing began. A beautiful blue outfit with embroidered cranes on the sleeves and hem was brought to the team. The whole process took so long that when Yang Yulan was finally ready to leave, it was already getting dark outside the window.

Yang Yulan yawned loudly.

«At such a time, it's time to go to bed, and not get ready for some kind of event»

She was immediately dressed by the head maid.

– Keep a decent face, Your Highness. Don't smile all over your mouth and don't talk to anyone.

– But I think you can handle the last one anyway – she grinned, then took a rope in the color of the outfit from her bosom and tied the princess's hands behind her back.

«That's right» – Yang Yulan thought – «They need precautions. If the Empress is sure that her daughter is dumb as a fish, she still can't be sure that she won't do anything.»

– We will escort you to the hall and monitor your behavior. However, I strongly recommend not to commit rash acts, otherwise even the Empress herself will not stop me.

At these words, she lowered her voice and stared intently at the princess, frozen with fear. Then the maid, pleased with the reaction she received, grabbed the girl by the elbow and dragged her out of the room.

– I will also accompany the princess – Chu Qi, who was standing at the entrance, suddenly cut in

– No way. Me and two other girls will be enough – the older one retorted.

– With me, it's less likely that the princess will do anything. We got used to each other.

The head maid thought for a while, and then turned her gaze to her ward, with whom she had never dealt before, but about whom she had heard many unpleasant rumors

– All right. Then her behavior is on your conscience. And if I can't do anything with the princess because of her status, then you can blame yourself if anything happens.

– I understand, ma'am.

«Forgive me, Chu Qi» – Yang Yulan cried to herself at this time – «This must be done in the name of love.»

Yang Yulan felt a lot of fear and excitement, anticipating the future. She shook her head slightly.

«We can't give up now. This is just the beginning. It is necessary to keep a sober mind at all costs. I have a meeting with very important people, and I need to embarrass myself in front of them very competently.»

***

The banquet hall was a spacious and majestic room. The walls were decorated with exquisite carvings and abundant picturesque patterns. The high ceilings went up, almost reaching the vault of heaven.

Hanging lamps and lanterns filled the room with a rich red color.

There were wooden tables made of furniture in the hall, which were bursting with a variety of delicious dishes and drinks.

The largest table was placed in the center of the hall. It was prepared for the imperial family. There was another man standing next to him. It was prepared for the main guests of the evening – the envoys from the Northern Bay.

Yang Shifei walked over to the table and was about to take a seat closer to her mother when a hand stopped her.

– This place belongs to Yang Yulan – Yang Yusheng stated and smiled, seeing through his sister's harmful thoughts – after all, she is older than you and should sit closer to her mother.

– What difference does it make if she's older or not – Yang Shifei replied as calmly as possible – does she deserve this place more than me? She did not get married and was invited to this event only because the absence of one of the members of the imperial family would be disrespectful to the guests. Her father won't be here anyway because of the illness, and she just can't not come. Otherwise, the Empress would not have risked it like that. I know that everyone in the family thinks she's long dead. And, you know, it would be better if it were.

Yang Yusheng laughed softly.

– But you haven't married yet either, dear sister. And she is even more important than you, despite her illness.

– So what? – the girl did not let him finish – I'd rather sit in this place. Otherwise, the envoys from Northern Bei will be scared when they look away from the Empress and see Yang Yulan. No whitewash can hide her ugliness.

– Oh, of course. They'd rather admire your unearthly beauty – Yang Yusheng sarcastically remarked, knowing full well what his tactless words would lead to.

One's own beauty was very important to Yang Shifei. She could hardly stand any mockery of her appearance.

It just so happened that in all the time she had grown up, not a single man had dared to ask for her hand in marriage. He didn't even show signs of attention. And she was tormented by the fact that she did not understand the exact reason for this phenomenon. And the fact that her older sister was so often the cause of various love scandals constantly touched her to the quick.

Therefore, she could not respond to her older brother's caustic statement with anything but a displeased face and instant defeat. The girl got up from her seat and sat away from the brothers and the Empress.

Yang Yusheng smiled contentedly and settled down in his seat, waiting for Yang Yulan to arrive.

And I didn't have to wait long. As soon as all the people began to take their seats, she came into the hall. The guests almost stood up from their seats, not believing their eyes. The hall was filled with a hum of short whispers.

– is it really her?

– If I hadn't known about her insanity, I would have thought she was completely normal.

– How can a person change so much in such a short time? I need to know who dressed her up and painted her.

– Come on, I'm sure there's some kind of black magic involved.

Hearing what people were saying, Yang Shifei froze in her seat. How has this patient become so much prettier lately? It wasn't fair at all. The princess was ready to start biting her elbows in anger.

Faced with such a warm welcome, Yang Yulan, in turn, did not raise an eyebrow. The only thing that occupied all her thoughts at that moment was the smell of food.

She walked around the hall with her hands tied behind her back, followed by the curious glances of the guests. The head maid was leading her by the elbow. And a couple of servants walked beside her, ready to take action at any second if the princess decided to do something stupid.

Yang Yulan came up to the table and saw her older brother, Yang Yusheng, who was actively waving in her direction trying to attract her attention, and then noticing her gaze, patted the chair next to him a couple of times

– Give it here.

–Hello, big brother – Yang Yulan greeted, sitting down in her seat

A satisfied smile never left the guy's face for a second

– How are you doing? I heard about what happened in the White Lotus Pavilion.

The Princess replied to this with perplexity.

– Well, what you did to the manager.

– Oh, you mean that – Yang Yulan's face twisted in indignation – I'm really sorry.

«Pure lies»

– Don't regret it! Moreover, I taught you that.

– Just know that big brother is very proud of you

– That's how it is.

Yang Yulan tried to seem at least somewhat interested in the dialogue, but to Yang Yusheng's great regret, there was a whole plate of hot food in front of Yang Yulan. Licking her oiled lips, she did not take her predatory gaze off the plate with the ill-fated chicken. At that moment, she felt someone's displeased gaze on her.

Lifting her head, Yang Yulan came across the Empress, who looked at her with a look that said bluntly: «If you touch anything, I will personally kill you.»

From the desire to distract herself with at least something besides food, Yang Yulan began to scan the hall with her eyes, looking for her beloved couple. I didn't have to look for long. Very close to the place where the emperor usually sat, Yang Jinglong sat on a patterned seat. Today he looked even more majestic than usual. He was dressed in a magnificent golden outfit and made up no less than Yang Yulan. Although the girl had only seen him once since she got here, she could tell for sure that he was getting prettier and prettier every time.

There was a pretty little girl standing next to the place where the Crown Prince was sitting. Her hairstyle was not pretentious, but simple and cheap. However, even such an inconspicuous appearance could not overshadow her great beauty. Both men and women looked at her from time to time anyway. And everyone in a special way either admired her or envied her.

The only person who felt only bitter hatred for her was the Empress. She was ready to burn this girl to the ground with her sharp gaze, so that she would no longer interfere with her existence.

There will also be a lot of different conflicts between them, and Yang Yulan was very worried that she would not be able to catch them all in person.

Thoughts of dramatic scenes were interrupted by Yang Yusheng. His speech about his own successes smoothly flowed into a speech about Yang Yulan's successes.

– Do you want to practice together again sometime? You didn't come to watch me shoot anymore. I even thought you were completely sick. I still have a lot to teach you. Shooting is not as easy as you think.

– Oh, that's right. I really got sick then. I feel much better now. So I'll visit you more often.

«And here is a good reason to visit the main palace more often» – the girl thought – «This way I will be able to catch some dramatic scenes of the book, and maybe I will witness some romantic scenes.»

Yang Yulan closed her eyes, imagining the upcoming events with some excitement.

A loud voice announced that the envoys from North Bay had finally arrived.

The door to the hall opened with a bang and, under the admiring gazes of people, a group of people dressed in thick fur entered. At the head of them was a young girl. Apparently a princess. She was dressed in a scarlet and red robe and hung with numerous gold ornaments. On her shoulders hung a huge black cape with gray fluffy fur. Her Phoenix eyes looked at the people in the hall with obvious disdain. She had a small black mole under her left eye.

Yang Yulan's pupils shrank to dots. She recognized the woman immediately.

«It can't be. Is that girl from the parade the princess of Northern Bay?» – Yang Yulan's assumptions became more and more shocking every time – «So I witnessed not only the first romantic scene, but also the first meeting of the villainess and the main character, who was not in the main plot?»